pH pen/meter bang for buck?

[OlderNOTwiser]

I've been using old fashioned litmus strips to this point. I'm very close to needing yet another roll and realized my total $ has slowly climbed past what I'd pay for a "decent" pH pen or meter. Realizing this is simply a must do kind of thing and there are hundreds of pens that look alike with different colored plastic where do you start? I can't justify the $200 models as I'm in soil and will likely remain oriented that way for some time. All I really need is the ability to check input and runoff for the most part.

[Eliot Pryor]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N20ZRC5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have one these that works better than a Hannah tester that cost twice as much. Good growing !!

[alltatup]

It doesn't have very good ratings on Amazon.... Just sayin...

[Canuck147]

Blue Lab ph pen has been my choice for last 4 years - keep it clean, calibrated and it works great. 4 years ago it was $120. Also have litmus paper for backup.

edit - I have two words for checking runoff - fuck it. Don't do it, never have.

[dphipps1020]

I have one like Eliot Pryor posted. I think I got a pH meter and TDS meter combo for like $13-14 (US) and they work great. I don't use them so much any more since I started with amended soil and my tap water is pretty decent. Decided to try my luck with hydro again though. I have a couple of clones and a seedling in my small 6 site tub I made myself, basically top fed DWC using a pump and some PVC. Have to reseal my bigger setup before I can pull it back out and transfer them over. Anyway, pen still works just as good as it did almost 2 years ago.

[RFheavy]

https://www.amazon.com/Apera-Instruments-AI209-Waterproof-Accuracy/dp/B01ENFOHN8/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=apera&qid=1579720739&sr=8-6

This is what I currently have. Been going on thre years strong and stays calibrated and gives readings fairly quickly. There is a temp gauge as well so I use that for peace of mind when checking my hydro bucket. There is also a replaceable probe version which is about double the price and the replacement probes are around thirty dollars(all usd prices). I think Mr.furley has a replaceable probe ph pen and would be interested to hear what he has to say about it if he does.

[Mr.furley]

I like it, haven't had to replace the probe yet.
Hanna Instruments HI98103 Checker pH Tester with Ph Electrode and Batteries, 0.00 to 14.00 pH, +/-0.2 pH Accuracy, 0.1 pH Resolution https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085WOIMQ..._FHlkEbA25CRJT

[alltatup]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0096N8OWI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I keep this one soaking in pH 7 solution and it has worked great for years. Here's where I buy my solution in bulk to save $$

https://www.omega.com/en-us/calibration-equipment/calibration-accessories/calibration-solution/p/PHA4-7-10?bt=cart

[FunkyButtLovin]

This is the pen I use and the seller I bought from. I think I offered $8.50 and they accepted. Dirt cheap and works good so far for my use as a soil grower. It's the same pen as recommended on GWE but $3.50 cheaper than Amazon. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-Ele...72.m2749.l2649

[5Chord]

I've had a bunch of cheap one's, bt once I got this one 3 years ago I never looked back........https://www.getbluelab.com/shop/By+C...mbo+Meter.html Great quality and the best feature is it turns itself off!!

[Farmall]

I’ve got the $9.00 yellow one and a $140 blue lab one. The yellow $9.00 one was a bit off in the calibration against the solutions used for the blue lab and while I really like the blue lab, the little yellow $9.00 one when calibrated equally to the right values, is faster to provide a stabilized reading and is as accurate